Change — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈchānj/

Meaning & Definition of Change

Change (verb)

  1. to make different in some particular way or aspect, alter
  2. to make radically different, transform
  3. to give a different position, course, or direction to

Change (noun)

  1. the act, process, or result of changing
  2. alteration
  3. transformation

Change (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act, process, or result of making different

    "the positive change in our students' attitude toward people who are somehow different was a long and gradual process"

    similar: alteration, difference, modification, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling, revamping, review, revise, revision, reworking, variation
    related: amendment, correction, rectification, reform, conversion, deformation, distortion, metamorphosis, mutation, transfiguration, transformation, fluctuation, oscillation, shift, displacement, replacement, substitution, adjustment, modulation, regulation, tweak, redesign, redo
    opposite: fixation, stabilization

  2. the frequent and usually sudden passing from one condition to another

    "there is nothing so constant as change itself"

    similar: fluctuation, flux, inconstancy, oscillation
    related: metamorphosis, mutation, transformation, transmogrification, transmutation, vacillation, wavering

  3. something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment

    "she spent quite a chunk of change on that car"

    similar: bread (slang), bucks, cabbage (slang), cash, chips, coin, currency, dough, gold, green, jack (slang), kale (slang), legal tender, lolly (British), long green (slang), loot, lucre, money, moola (slang), needful, pelf, scratch (slang), shekels, tender, wampum
    related: coinage, specie, dead presidents (slang), folding money, paper money, scrip, banknote, cashier's check, check, draft, money order, note, promissory note, bill, dollar, greenback, bankroll, capital, finances, funds, roll (slang), wad, wallet, chump change, dibs (slang), dime, mite, peanuts, pittance, shoestring, big bucks, bomb (British), boodle, bundle, earth, fortune, king's ransom, megabucks, mint, packet (chiefly British), pile, pot, abundance, means, opulence, riches, treasure, wealth, resources, wherewithal, mad money, petty cash, pin money, pocket money, spending money

Change (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make different in some way

    "my wife has changed the look of our living room more times than we care to remember"

    similar: alter, make over, modify, recast, redo, refashion, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary
    related: deform, metamorphose, mutate, regenerate, revolutionize, transfigure, transform, transmute, commute, convert, exchange, rejigger, retool
    opposite: fix, freeze, set, stabilize

  2. to pass from one form, state, or level to another

    "the weather in New England is constantly changing"

    similar: fluctuate, mutate, shift, snap, vary
    related: metamorphose, morph, transmute, better, improve, deteriorate, worsen, turn around, seesaw, teeter, vacillate, waver
    opposite: plateau, stabilize

  3. to give up (something) and take something else in return

    "would you mind changing your seat so my friends can sit together?"

    similar: commute, exchange, shift, substitute, swap, switch, trade
    related: interchange, displace, replace, supersede, cede, hand over, surrender, yield, reciprocate

Related Entry: Change of heart (phrase)

Change of heart is a different word from Change. The synonyms below are for change of heart, not for change.

  1. a changing from one policy or point of view to virtually its exact opposite

    "He considered taking a position at another company, but had a change of heart when his employer offered him a raise."

    similar: about-face, about-turn (British), flip-flop, reversal, turnabout, turnaround, U-turn, volte-face
    related: bait and switch, switcheroo, denial, disaffirmance, disavowal, disownment, recantation, renunciation, repudiation, retraction, reconsideration, retreat, second thought, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling

Related Entry: Change one's mind (about) (phrase)

Change one's mind (about) is a different word from Change. The synonyms below are for change one's mind (about), not for change.

  1. to consider again especially with the possibility of change or reversal

    "If you change your mind about going to the party, we'll all be there."

    similar: readdress, reanalyze, reconceive, reconsider, redefine, reevaluate, reexamine, reexplore, rethink, review, revisit, reweigh, go over, think better of
    related: rehear, reconceptualize, reenvision, reimagine, reappraise, reassess, reinvestigate, restudy, amend, correct, emend, rectify, reform, remedy, revise
    near: assert, defend, maintain, uphold

Related Entry: Chump change (noun)

Chump change is a different word from Change. The synonyms below are for chump change, not for change.

  1. a very small sum of money

    "what seems like a huge amount of money to most people is only chump change to a billionaire"

    similar: chicken feed (slang), dime, hay, mite, peanuts, pin money, pittance, shoestring, song, two cents
    related: petty cash, pocket money, spending money
    opposite: big buck(s), boodle, bundle, fortune, king's ransom, megabuck(s), mint, wad
    near: bankroll, capital, funds, means, wherewithal, opulence, pelf, riches, treasure, wealth, heap, pile, pot, bonanza, mine, treasure trove, treasury

Related Entry: Small change (noun)

Small change is a different word from Change. The synonyms below are for small change, not for change.

  1. something of little importance

    "he rightfully dismissed his woes as small change compared to the life-threatening problems faced by others"

    similar: bagatelle, child's play, frippery, nonproblem, nothing, picayune, shuck(s), small beer, trifle, triviality
    related: naught, nothingness, smoke, zero, peanuts, pittance, song, straw, two bits, bunk, claptrap, drivel, folly, fribble, fudge, hogwash, humbug, humbuggery, nonsense, piffle, rot, trash, trivia, bit, crumb, dab, dram, lick, mite, ounce, particle, pinhead, scintilla, shred, smidgen, soupçon, speck, spot, tad, touch, trace

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Change

The most common words with a similar meaning to Change:

Slang: bread, cabbage, jack, kale, long green, moola, scratch
British: lolly
alteration, difference, modification, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling, revamping, review, revise, revision, reworking, variation, fluctuation, flux, inconstancy, oscillation, bucks, cash, chips, coin, currency, dough, gold, green, legal tender, loot, lucre, money, needful, pelf, shekels, tender, wampum, alter, make over, modify, recast, redo, refashion

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Change

Words with the opposite meaning of Change:

fixation, stabilization, fix, freeze, set, stabilize, plateau

Related Words for Change

amendment, correction, rectification, reform, conversion, deformation, distortion, metamorphosis, mutation, transfiguration, transformation, displacement, replacement, substitution, adjustment, modulation, regulation, tweak, redesign, transmogrification, transmutation, vacillation, wavering, coinage, specie, dead presidents, folding money, paper money, scrip, banknote

Word Forms of Change

Inflections: changed, changing

Derived words: changer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Change

Middle English, from Anglo-French changer, from Latin cambiare to exchange, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish camm crooked

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Change

Words & Phrases Containing Change

change hands, change off, change of heart, change of life, change of pace, change order, change ringing, change a baby

Frequently Asked Questions about Change

What does "Change" mean?

"Change" means to make different in some particular way or aspect, alter. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make different in some particular way or aspect, alter. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Change"?

Other words for "Change" include alteration, difference, modification, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling and revamping. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Change" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Change"?

There are 170 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Change". Common alternatives include alteration, difference, modification, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling, revamping, review and revise.

What is a slang word for "Change"?

Slang words for "Change" include bread, cabbage, jack, kale, long green and moola.

What is the opposite of "Change"?

Antonyms of "Change" include fixation, stabilization, fix, freeze, set, stabilize and plateau.

How do you use "Change" in a sentence?

Examples of "Change" in a sentence: "the positive change in our students' attitude toward people who are somehow different was a long and gradual process"; "there is nothing so constant as change itself"; "she spent quite a chunk of change on that car".

Is "Change" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Change" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Change" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Change" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.